Maghi is a Sikh festival that commemorates a battle in which forty Sikhs (the Forty Liberated Ones), led by a woman named Maathaa Bhaag Kaur, laid down their lives for their Guru, Guru Gobind Singh Ji, by defending an attack by the imperial army.
The action took place near a pool of water, Khidrane di Dhab, on Dec. 29, 1705, and many Sikhs believe it is auspicious to take a dip in water on Maghi. Sikhs celebrate Maghi with a recitation of the holy Guru Granth Sahib and religious rituals in all the Sikh Gurdwaras (a Gurdwara is a Sikh place of assembly and worship meaning “Gateway to the Guru”).
The Office of Spiritual and Religious Life wishes joy and prosperity for all celebrating Maghi this year.
Sources:
“Resilience: Multifaith Calendar 2022.” Multifaith Action Society. 2022.
“The Sikh Festivals: Maghi,” Gateway To Sikhism Foundation. 2022.
“World Gurudwaras,” Gateway To Sikhism. 2022.
